Hudson County Community College Announces 2013 Heritage Award Recipient

JERSEY CITY, N.J. / May 7, 2013 — Kenneth H. Lindenfelser, Sr., a lifelong resident of Kearny who has devoted much of his life to serving the people of Hudson County, will be presented with the Hudson County Community College (HCCC) 2013 Heritage Award. Mr. Lindenfelser will be honored as part of the College’s 35th Annual Commencement Ceremonies on Thursday evening, May 23 at 6:00 p.m. in Prudential Hall at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ. At least 850 students are expected to graduate that evening.

The Hudson County Community College Heritage Award was instituted 20 years ago to recognize members of the community who have made significant contributions to the College, its students and their families. Past recipients include: Paul Silverman, a Principal of the real estate development firm SILVERMAN; Dr. Abegail Douglas-Johnson, the former Vice President for Academic Affairs at the College who devoted much of her professional life to the College; Nadia Makar, the extraordinary science teacher from Union City; Mother Jacqueline Mays, Pastor and Overseer of Mt. Sinai Full Baptist Church; Daniel Altilio, President of United Way of Hudson County; Hudson County business leader Raju Patel; retired Jersey Journal publisher Scott Ring; former New Jersey City University President Dr. Carlos Hernandez; Marla Ucelli, Director of District Redesign & Leadership at the Annenberg Institute for School Reform/Brown University; and U.S. Senator Robert Menendez.

“Kenneth H. Lindenfelser has been a staunch and diligent supporter of the Hudson County Community College Foundation and his efforts have resulted in scholarships for dozens of men and women,” said HCCC President Dr. Glen Gabert.

Mr. Lindenfelser is Chairman of the Foundation’s West Hudson Scholarship Committee, a group composed of local residents, business people and municipal leaders. He oversaw the production of two major and highly successful, annual fundraisers — Taste of Fall 2011 and 2012 — which resulted in a $100,000 endowment earmarked for scholarships to students from municipalities in the western section of Hudson County.

Born in Jersey City, Mr. Lindenfelser earned Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees from Newark College of Engineering before going on to Purdue University, where he was awarded a Master of Science degree. He provided 22 years of active and reserve duty as a member of the U.S. Air Force, retiring as Scientific Program Manager at the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

An Aerospace Engineer, Mr. Lindenfelser worked for Kearfott Corporation, Magnavox and BAE Systems, making significant contributions on the senior management level to the Space Shuttle, F-16, F-22, JSF, JTID, GPS development and several other military programs in the areas of guidance, landing systems and electro-optics. He received the Gold Award for Innovative Design of a cable detection system from BAE, a global company with more than 100,000 employees from 152 countries. He is currently the President of Lindenfelser Associates, Aerospace Consultants.

Mr. Lindenfelser served four terms as Kearny Ward 3 Councilman, and one term as the Mayor of Kearny. He was also the Chair and Vice Chair of the Kearny Republican Organization.

In addition to his work with the HCCC Foundation, Lindenfelser serves as a Eucharistic Minister and the past President of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine at St. Cecilia’s Parish (Kearny). He was the Director of Pioneer Boys of America, President of Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 7 (Hudson County), and in various capacities at a number of other civic organizations. Mr. Lindenfelser was named Irishman of the Year (1986) and was the Grand Marshall at the Kearny Memorial Day Parade (1986) and the West Hudson St. Patrick’s Day Parade (2000).

“Kenneth Lindenfelser’s dedication and caring efforts have enriched the lives of the people of Hudson County, and the College is happy to honor him with this year’s Heritage Award and to recognize all he has done for the College and our students,” Dr. Gabert stated.